Latgale candidates outline plans in first Saeima election debate

LSM’s first pre-election debate with leaders of party lists in Latvia’s Latgale electoral district focused on what the region’s residents can expect over the next four years.

Latvia will elect its 15th Saeima on October 3. A total of 180 candidates from 14 lists are competing for 12 seats allocated to Latgale.

The debate covered security, healthcare, education, demographics, opportunities for young families, preparedness for crisis situations, old parks in Latgale and the powers of Latgale’s members of parliament in the Saeima.

The participants were Leila Rasima of the Progressives, Janina Kursite of We Are Changing the Rules, Edmunds Teirumnieks of the National Alliance and Kaspars Melnis of the Union of Greens and Farmers. The programme was hosted by Beatrise Borise.

LSM’s Latgale Hour will hold discussions with candidates from other party lists in five weeks.

The 15th Saeima elections will take place on Saturday, October 3, with polling stations open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Voters may cast their ballots at any polling station.

Early voting will be available at polling stations across Latvia from September 28 until election day at designated times. The newly elected Saeima will convene for its first sitting on November 3, when the current Saeima’s term will end.